Study Abroad

All federal and state aid for students that are matriculating at Buffalo State will be certified through Buffalo State, the home institution. In the case that a student is participating in a Buffalo State program but matriculating at another institution, the student's home institution will process any federal or state aid the student may be eligible to receive. The home or host institution may request a consortium agreement be completed to ensure federal financial aid is only being certified by the home institution.

By submitting an approved budget sheet from the Office of International Exchange or Office of Special Programs, those offices are certifying the student is participating in an eligible Title IV program.

Students must have a valid FAFSA on file before they can be reviewed for aid eligibility. Once a budget sheet is submitted the student will be reviewed for any remaining aid they have not already exhausted for that academic year. A summary of the student’s estimated expenses and financial aid for their semester abroad will be sent to the student’s Buffalo State email account. Students should review these documents thoroughly as they will estimate the amount the student will need to pay out-of-pocket for their semester abroad If students are in need of additional funds to help pay for their semester abroad, they may contact the Financial Aid Office located in Moot Hall 230 for additional loan information.

Students participating on exchange are responsible for any and all charges accrued at both the home as well as host institution. Students’ failure to make timely payments may result in late fees, transcripts being withheld (jeopardizing future aid at home institution), accounts being put on hold, as well as the account being turned over to a collection agency. When aid is certified and received by the home institution (Buffalo State) it will first be used to pay off any balance owed to the home institution (Buffalo State) any remaining aid will then be refunded to the student. It is the responsibility of the student to pay any charges owed to the host institution or in the case of International Exchange, any invoiced amount owed to that office.

The Financial Aid Office at Buffalo State is not responsible for deferring payment on the students’ behalf at the host institution. The student must work with the Office of International Education or the Office of Special Programs if they need assistance in payment deferment. The International Exchange Office is located in South Wing 410 and the Office of Special Programs is located in South Wing 420.